Day of Service held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Jay Roberson wrapped up the 5th year of the youth led movement—100 Days of Nonviolence— on January 19th during the National Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
During the Day of Service, Councilor Roberson introduced a series of service projects, including a shoe distribution at A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club.
“Dr. King’s life stood for service. Hosting events like the Samaritan’s Feet Shoe Distribution is a fitting tribute to King’s life and what he represented,” said Roberson. “The partnership that we have established with Samaritan’s Feet continues to grow each year, and I’m thankful that we can give back to the community in this manner.”
On the National Day of Service, Councilor Roberson announced his partnership with the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club and WorldVentures Foundations to build a Dream Court – a multi-sport play space designed to promote physical fitness and fun, at the A.G. Gaston facility.
The day concluded with a parade led by Bishop Calvin Woods, president, Birmingham Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Councilor Roberson. To celebrate nonviolence, Roberson, Woods and more than 100 people marched from Birmingham City Hall to Kelly Ingram Park. Youth had the opportunity to write expressions of the value of life and the importance to live on the LIVE WALL, a mobile chalkboard, at Kelly Ingram Park.
During the 5th Year Anniversary of 100 Days of Nonviolence, more than 2,000 students took the 100 Days of Nonviolence pledge. Recently, Birmingham Chief A. C. Roper reported the year 2014 as having one of the lowest rates for criminal homicide in over a decade. Each year, the 100 Days of Non-Violence initiative assists in lowering crime throughout the City of Birmingham.
“Dr. King stood for nonviolence and service. I’m overjoyed to have successfully completed the 5th year of the 100 Days of Nonviolence Campaign. I look forward to next year as we continue to uplift our youth,” said Councilor Roberson.
100 Days of Non Violence
The 100 Days of Non Violence Initiative began five years ago under the leadership of Council President Pro-Tem Jay
Roberson. It runs during the months of October through January and to date no young person under the age of 18 has
died to any senseless act of violence in that time. Each year young people in the City of Birmingham and surrounding
communities are encouraged to sign the nonviolence pledge to bring awareness to their peers about refraining from
violence all while promoting safer schools and communities.
